Mapping Social Mixing and Proximity in Arezzo, Italy: From Microzones to Hyperproximity

This article investigates the configuration of social mixing and proximity within the peripheral neighborhoods of Arezzo, Italy—namely San Donato, Saione, Tortaia, and San Marco alla Sella—utilizing a student-led participatory mapping protocol that integrates fieldwork, qualitative observation, and digital visualization. The study involved university students mapping sociocultural, educational, religious, commercial, and recreational nodes, resulting in microscale “snapshots” that were subsequently synthesized into a comprehensive neighborhood-level analysis. The findings depict the area as a dense yet fragmented socio-spatial ecosystem, where everyday inclusion is maintained through a polycentric network of community hubs. The analysis underscores both the presence of hyperproximate social infrastructure and the persistence of gaps in visibility, coordination, and accessibility. Methodologically, this research contributes to discussions on collaborative mapping and data humanism by emphasizing lived experience and local knowledge while experimenting with digital platforms to render complex socio-spatial patterns both legible and narratively rich.